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Re: [ECS] Computer control of A/V equipment? Dan Carrington Thu, 08 Oct 1998 09:24:16 -0700

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I have used the powermids with acceptable performance, but only for
sending my hand IR commands to my rack of equipment when it used to be
in a closet.  I took appart the IR receiver/RF transmiter and removed
the small circuit board and siliconed it to one of my speakers behind
the speaker grill.  Totally hidden except for a small power cord at the
bottom corner of the speaker.  However, I would not consider using this
type of thing for HA.  I use Dancraft's IR interface and have had good
performance with it.  I do not use it for IR recognition for doing
macros or commands.  I use it to send commands to my equipment.  The
learning accuracy has been great.  My IR unit is about 50 feet from my
ECS computer and just using a good shielded data cable.  (actually 2
25ft 4-channel data snakes gender-changered together)  I have had no
problems with that type of connection.  I can usually extend a standard
serial port 100ft or more without problems.  If I really needed to go
further than that, there are different ways like wireless serial and
RS-422 conversion.  I also run one IR sender from my IR unit into
another room, hard wired about 75 feet without any problems whatsoever.  
Dan Carrington


Mulle, Tim wrote:
> 
> HI All,
> 
> I am curious, is anyone using their computer to control their A/V equipment?
> 
> If so, how are you doing it? Is your computer near your A/V stuff?
> Powermids? etc.?
> 
> I am looking into setting up my system and would like to hear how people are
> doing this with ECS so I can hopefully avoid choosing the wrong path later
> if I want to expand. I can't do any hardwiring right now, I am renting a
> townhouse and so I guess I am limited to wireless. My computer is upstairs
> and my A/V equipment is downstairs.
> 
> Any ideas?
> 
> Thanks,
> Timothy G. Mulle'

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